Display apparatus



J. W. VETTER DISPLAY APPARATUS l Feb. 17) 1942.

Filed Sept. 5, 1959 Patented Feb. 17, 1942 L I-his invention appertainstocdisplay apparatusv for stores, fand more ,particularly to a novel means` for attractively displaying merchandise in windows or at other appropriate points in stores. 1 v Oneof the primary Vobje'ctsf-of my invention is to provide a display apparatus for s-tore windows'and the like; which will create a new and novel appearance and thereby effectively attract the attention of a passerby.

Another salient object of my invention is to provide a display apparatus embodying a rotatable platform for the goods to be displayed, having reiiecting surfaces and a stationary arcuate Wall partially surrounding the platform having reflecting surfaces, whereby a multiplicity of reflections of the goods Will be had, and whereby upon rotation of the platform an animated changing appearance will be created.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a semicircular wall or background for the rotatable platform provided with a plurality of lclosely yarranged mirrors theeron, the mirrors having flat reflecting surfaces whereby distortion of the goods on display will be prevented.

With these andother objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement, and formation of parts, as will be hereinafter more specifically described, claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my novel display apparatus, showing the same arranged in a store window.

'Figure 2 is a fragmentary, side, elevational View, partly in section, illustrating the rotatable platform and the motor for continuously turning the same.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary, detail, elevational View illustrating the inner face of the arcuate wall or b-ackground.

Figure l is a detail, vertical, sectional View taken on thelne 4-4 of Figure 3, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary, detail, horizontal, sectional View taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 3, looking in the direction of the ar-v rows.

Referring to the drawing in detail, wherein Asimilar reference characters designate correcan be positioned for attracting the attention of persons passing by. While I have shown the l t Application September 5,

" comme. cls4t' si).

aopaapiisgfm awindow, it, ,listo 'be understood that the s-ame can bev placed at any other advantageous point,y for attracting the attention of priatematerialwsuch as Wood or metal. The

` basefplate.asshown, is; of fa lsubstanti-ally semicircular shape, and its straight edge is disposed outermost. This base plate i0 rotatably supports the platform Il and an arcuate semicylindrical wall or background I2. The platform II embodies a circular vstand I3 on which is rigidly placed 'a centrally disposed pedestal I4. The stand I3 has also rigidly secured thereto a plu- `rality of stepped shelves I5, which lead to and rare connected with the pedestal I4. There may be as many sets of thestepped shelves I5 as desired, and in the present instance I have shown the sets of stepped shelves arranged at quarters. All of the outer surfaces of the stand I3, the pedestal I4, and the sets of stepped shelves I5 are covered with mirrors or polished reecting faces.

Any appropriate means can be provided for slowly turning the platform II, and, as shown in Figure 2, the platform-is rigidly secured to an axially disposed shaft I6 extending through a bearing carried by a gear casing I1. The lower end of the shaft I6 is rotatably mounted in a thrust bearing I8 carried by the base I 0. Rigidlybolted to the b-ase Ill is .an electric motor I9 of the desired rating, and the casing of this motor supports the casing I1 for the gearing, Which operatively connects the armature shaft of the motor with the supporting platform shaft I6.

Referring to the semicylindrical wall or background I2, it is to be noted that the same includes a plurality of spaced upright boards 20, which are fitted against a semicircular rim or band 2| disposed on top of the base I0 adjacent the curved edge thereof. This band 2I is firmly secured to the base I0 by angle brackets 22. Against the rear faces of the boards 20 are positioned reinforcing angle brackets 23, and bolts 24 extend through the band 2|, trie boards 2u, and the reinforcing angle brackets 23.

Arranged on the outer surface of the supporting boards 20 `are dat mirrors 25 or other polished reflecting members, and the mirrors 25 are preferably arranged in reinforcing :metal frames 26. Prior to the placing of the frames 26 on the mirrors 25, the frames have attached thereto blocks 2l, and after the mirrors are placed in the frames, the blocks 27 are secured to the boards 20 by fastening elements 28. As is clearly shown in Figure 1, the flat mirrors have their side edges disposed in abutting relation.

If preferred, the flat boards 20 can have secured to their upper ends display sign boards 29, which can carry any appropriate advertising matter.

In my novel display apparatus, articles are placed on the sets of stepped shelves and on the top of the pedestal I4, and as all of the exposed surfaces of the platform carry mirrors, and as the arcuate Wall partially surrounds the platform, a multiplicity of reflections of the articles on the platform will be had. This in itself creates a novel and attractive appearance.

However, as the platform is slowly rotated, the reflections change, and a highly animated appearance is created. These animated reflections will attract the eye o f the passerby, and, thus, the attention of possible purchasers will be called to the articles on display.

Changes in details may be made without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention, but what I claim as new is:

1. In a display apparatus having a base plate and a rotatable platform for receiving goods to be exhibited; an arcuate .attaching band on said base plate extending partially about the platform, upstanding supporting boards arranged in equidistantly spaced relation fitted against the base plate .and the rear face of the band, supporting angle-shaped brackets on said base plate engaging the rear faces of the boards, means connecting the brackets, the boards, and the band together, and a mirror attached to each board and extending beyond the vertical edges of the boards in abutting relation to adjacent mirrors.

2. In a display apparatus having a base plate and a rotatable platform for receiving goods to be exhibited; an arcuate attaching band on said base plate extending partially about the platform, upstanding supporting boards arranged in equidistantly spaced relation fitted against the base plate and the rear face of the band, sup- 

